My Beauty Rules: Jacki Cook

There’s one skincare product I’m never without. The Alpha H Liquid Gold is an overnight glycolic treatment that I’ll always go back to. It has a formula that’s quick and easy to use as you sleep, removing all the dead skin cells that sit on the surface, so you wake with a brighter complexion come morning. I’m also never without my Jordan Samuel skincare – his products have changed the way I look at my skin over the past two years and are the mainstay of my routine. Particular favourites include The Aftershow Cleanser, The Performance Eye Gel and The Performance Cream.

 
Now I’m older, I am less of a sucker for beauty marketing. My routine has changed so much over each decade, but one thing I’ve learnt is not to flit between brands so much. I used to love anything sparkly which gave the promise of ‘eternal youth’, but I never had a fixed routine. In recent years I’ve learnt to understand more about my own skin, focusing on what products actually do and what’s appropriate for my needs – and, also, what’s not. I’ve learnt after decades of experimentation that consistency is key – changes don’t happen overnight but, with the right products and patience, a better complexion is possible. 
 
Helena Rubinstein make-up is my earliest beauty memory. My grandmother used to get lots of it from a friend who worked in Elys of Wimbledon back in the Seventies – I didn’t come from a family that was particularly into make-up or had money to spare for it, so at the time it seemed very luxe and exciting. It totally influenced my fascination with make-up, and I still close my eyes and remember the amazing smell of those products. I also loved the Ultraglow Bronzer which I discovered in about 1981 from my mother. On reflection, it was less bronze and more orange. I do remember loving her dressing table, too, a place where I would have a play and enjoy all the items she had on there. 

It’s a cliché, but less is more. Make-up wise, this is the motto I follow. For years I tried to cover up every imperfection and hint of natural skin tone, but now I’ve changed my thinking and, instead, I’ve opted for tinted formulas – think SPFs and CC creams – and I only ever use liquids for blushers and bronzers. These formulas are so much more forgiving now that I’m in my 50s. The lesson for me is that make-up is about making the most of what you love. 
 
I wish I had learned the importance of SPF earlier. You could have the best skincare routine in the world but, unless you’re protecting your skin daily with SPF, everything else is a lost cause. I wish someone had told me this earlier in life, but you’re never too old to learn and start practising it daily. 
 
All my inspiration comes from online. That may sound typical for the era we now live in, but what you can find and learn online is remarkable. I joined the Caroline Hirons Skincare Freaks group and Nadine Baggott’s pages on Facebook, too. I’ve always picked up invaluable advice and product information from there. Other places I’ve picked up inspiration from are both Instagram and YouTube. Everything on there is very informative and often the tutorials cover so many bases. A few names I am a fan of include Katie Jane Hughes, Lisa Potter-Dixon, Jordan Samuel, Lisa Eldridge and Antonia Burrell.